The year of 2020 will not be forgotten quickly although most Americans are looking to 2021 and hoping it brings better things. That’s because 2020 brought a pandemic worldwide with Covid-19 resulting in a complete shutdown for several weeks in March and April that affected the economy of the entire world and changed our daily lives significantly.
Some of the biggest stories covered by the Kinder Courier in 2020 included:
January
In January, residents of Kinder were invited to attend the first Allen Parish Fire District #4 (Kinder) open house on January 9. The Allen Parish Police Jury welcomed new members and said goodbye to Matt Fontenot at its first meeting for the new year. The Coushatta Tribe celebrated 25 years of casino business with the anniversary celebration of the Kinder Coushatta Casino Grand Resort on Friday, January 17. Also during the month, the areas two new Louisiana law makers went to work in Baton Rouge – Rep. Dewith Carrier and Senator Heather Cloud.
February
Kinder High’s Principal Melody LaFleur received a 225th Engineer Brigade military coin from LTC Steven Sumbler. Later in the year, Sumbler became a candidate for district judge along with Chad Guidry and Judi Abrusley, who later won the seat.
The Heinen Medical Center expanded to Kinder with a ribbon cutting on February 12.
March
The parish named its Students of the Year which included Avery Jolie Williams of Fairview High, fifth grade; Ava Grace Fruge of Kinder Middle, eighth grade; and Chloe Mae Oliver, Kinder High, 12th grade.
The governor announced the state would shut down closing schools and businesses beginning Monday, March 16. He initially said the shutdown would exist until April 13, but it actually lasted the rest of the year with different phases allowing some businesses to reopen and students to return to the classroom with lots of guidelines in August. Immediately local grocery stores reported shortages of products like toilet paper, hand santizier and other cleaning products due to the shutdown and guidelines. The pandemic also shut down the Coushatta Casino on March 16. Many government offices shut down their services and lobbies to protect residents and employees.
April
Residents were utilizing a “stuffed animal” hunt in the parish to get children out of the house. They created a map and route of participating houses and posted it on Facebook.™
The Oakdale Federal Correction Complex had its first death from Covid-19 and reported large case numbers.
Spring sports were cancelled for all high school students by LHSAA.
The governor extended the Stay-at-Home order until May 15.
May
High school graduations in the parish were postponed until June due to Covid-19. The state began opening in steps in mid May. Miss Pat Jones, Council on Aging executive director and former co-owner and editor of the Oakdale Journal, turned 90.
The casino reopened May 20.
Kinder’s Hayes Fawcett was recruited by LSU to work in the athletic recruiting team department.
June
Graduation was held for schools across the parish utilizing social distancing guidelines. Masks had to be worn changing the way we celebrate graduation.
The governor denied the state to enter Phase Three due to the growing number of Covid-19 cases.
The Courier was recognized with several awards for its excellence in journalism, and its owner, Braxton “B.I.” Moody III was inducted into Louisiana Press Association’s Hall of Fame.
July
Father Keith Pellerin left St. Philip Neri Catholic Church after several years.
Stacey Hurst took her oath of office for the first time as Allen Parish Clerk of Court.
August
Allen Parish educators began preparing for the first day of school. The start date was changed several times before finally starting on August 20. Students had not been in the classroom since March 16. Superintendent Kent Reed and his staff had to devise several plans for different scenarios on campus and through virtual learning.
Hurricane Laura struck August 29, making landfall south of Lake Charles as a Category 4 and causing lots of damage to the area. Many residents were without electricity for more than two weeks.
September
Local residents, referred to as the Sawdust Soldiers, began helping residents with trees and other debris from Hurricane Laura. They worked for several weeks to help residents even after Hurricane Delta which hit in October. Students returned to the classroom September 16, after damage from Hurricane Laura.
October
Hurricane Delta, a Category 4 hurricane, hit October 9th, near Creole, just weeks after Hurricane Laura. The damage was extensive once again. Most of the parish returned to school on October 15, for the second time after hurricane destruction. Reeves, Fairview and Elizabeth returned later due to damages at each of the sites.
It was announced the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana received a $50,000 Tribal Heritage grant in September through the Historic Preservation Fund, administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior. HPF grants fund tribal preservation programs, assist tribes in the preservation of their cultural heritage and promote the protection of historically significant sites.
November
The veterans of Kinder’s American Legion Post 244, Alvin L. Nevils, received a plaque honoring their achievement in maintaining, recruiting and retention of members for the year 2020/2021, according to Post Commander Eric Kuyper.
William Stanley Leger Sr., 87, died Monday, November 23, 2020, at his home in Kinder. He was the creator of the present Kinder Courier, which was combined with other papers in the community over the years.
December
Kinder, Elton, Reeves and Oakdale began planning for holiday parades and events while Oberlin and Elizabeth canceled Christmas-related events for 2020 and began planning for their 2021 parades, etc.
Kinder and Oberlin’s football teams made it to district play. Kinder beat Avoyelles to advance, and Oberlin lost to Centerville. Kinder won the next round by beating Loreauville. They defeated Mangham in the state-semi-finals the next week to move to the finals. At the finals, Many won in a very close game with Kinder being named state runners-up for the year in football.
Reeves was recognized for their first anniversary of being a smoke-free community. Judi Abrusley took the oath of office for district judge.
